Chapter XXXIV: Michelle's Arrival and Ancient Mysteries
Morning After the Ball
The guild hall buzzed with the satisfied energy that always followed a successful mission, though several members were still nursing the effects of the previous evening's formal festivities. Natsu sat slumped at his usual table, occasionally groaning about his lingering digestive distress from overindulging at Count Balsamico's elaborate buffet.
"I told you to pace yourself," Lucy said with minimal sympathy as she reviewed the morning newspaper. "But did you listen? No, you had to try every single dessert they offered."
"The cake with the little sparkles was really good though," Happy added helpfully, earning a withering look from his partner.
Cumber, who had returned from the mission with his characteristic quiet satisfaction, found himself the subject of several knowing looks from various guild members. His formal dancing with Wendy had not gone unnoticed, particularly by the other Clive family members.
"Successful evening?" Kizuna asked his younger brother with subtle amusement.
"Informative," Cumber replied simply, though the slight flush on his cheeks suggested the evening had been more than just educational.
Disturbing News
Lucy's attention was drawn to a disturbing article in the newspaper about a series of church bombings that had been occurring throughout Fiore. The destructive pattern showed no clear motive, and the Magic Council's Enforcement Corps was reportedly struggling to identify the perpetrator.
"This is terrible," she murmured, her voice carrying genuine concern. "Someone's been destroying churches all over the kingdom. Listen to this—'The attacks show no pattern beyond targeting religious sites, and authorities have no leads on the perpetrator's identity or motives.'"
Teilanne looked up from her conversation with Gildarts, her Saiyan warrior instincts immediately focusing on potential threats. "Systematic destruction of religious sites suggests either ideological motivation or strategic targeting of symbolic locations."
"Could be a distraction," Uruk added analytically. "Draw attention to public destruction while conducting other activities elsewhere."
Their discussion was interrupted when Natsu suddenly straightened, his dragon slayer senses detecting an unfamiliar magical signature approaching the guild.
"Someone's coming," he announced, his nose twitching as he analyzed the scent. "Magic... but not like anything I've smelled before. It's old, but wrapped in something newer."
Michelle's Introduction
Romeo appeared at the guild's main entrance, his expression carrying the polite concern that characterized his role in greeting visitors.
"Lucy," he called out, "you have a visitor. She says she's here to see you specifically."
Behind Romeo stood a young woman with an elaborate suitcase and an expression of nervous anticipation. Her formal dress and careful bearing suggested someone from a wealthy background, though her obvious emotional distress indicated that her visit carried personal rather than business significance.
Lucy looked up in surprise, not recognizing the visitor but noting something familiar about her general appearance and bearing.
"I... I'm Michelle Lobster," the young woman said, her voice trembling with emotion. "I'm your cousin."
The announcement sent a wave of shocked murmurs through the guild hall. Lucy stared in disbelief, her mind struggling to process this unexpected family revelation so soon after learning of her father's death.
"My cousin?" Lucy repeated, her voice barely audible.
Michelle nodded, tears beginning to form in her eyes. "Our families are distantly related. The Heartfilia family and the Lobster family have connections going back generations, though... though I know this must be a shock."
Happy, ever tactless in his curiosity, immediately flew closer with an expression of intense interest. "Are you Jude's illegitimate daughter?"
"Happy!" Lucy exclaimed, mortified by the cat's blunt question.
"No, no," Michelle replied quickly, though she didn't seem offended by the inquiry. "Nothing like that. Our families are connected through marriage lines from several generations back. Distant cousins, but... but still family."
The Mysterious Memento
As the guild members gathered around to satisfy their curiosity about Lucy's unexpected relative, Michelle's attention turned to the elaborate case she had brought with her.
"I was with Uncle Jude when he passed away," she explained softly, her voice carrying the weight of recent grief. "He... he asked me to bring this to you. Said it was something you needed to have."
Lucy felt her throat tighten at the mention of her father's final moments. The reality of his death, which she had been processing since the previous day, took on new dimensions with this tangible connection to his last wishes.
"What is it?" she asked, though part of her wasn't sure she wanted to know.
"I don't know," Michelle admitted honestly. "He just said to give it to you, and that you would understand what it meant better than anyone else could."
With trembling hands, Lucy opened the case to reveal an object wrapped in elaborate bandages. The covering suggested something ancient and possibly fragile, though the care taken in its preservation indicated significant importance.
As she unwrapped the bandages, a mechanical gear was revealed—but this was no ordinary piece of machinery. Even without touching it, she could sense the magical energy radiating from the object, and Natsu's earlier reaction to the scent now made perfect sense.
"This thing has serious magic," Natsu observed, his dragon slayer senses providing more detailed analysis now that the object was exposed. "It's old magic too, not like the stuff we usually encounter."
Saiyan Instincts
The Clive family's reactions to the mysterious gear were immediate and intense. Teilanne's expression shifted to the focused attention that preceded combat situations, while her children displayed varying degrees of alert interest.
"That's not just ancient magic," Kizuna said quietly, his analytical mind processing the energy signatures he was detecting. "It's connected to something larger. This feels like a component rather than a complete artifact."
Gine moved closer to Lucy, her empathetic nature picking up on the emotional complexity surrounding the object. "Are you okay? You look like you've seen something disturbing."
Lucy nodded, though her expression suggested she was struggling to process the implications of receiving such an obviously significant magical artifact from her deceased father.
"I just... why would he have something like this? And why did he want me to have it?" she wondered aloud.
Carla, who had been observing from her usual position near Wendy, suddenly displayed visible distress at the sight of the wrapped gear. Her prophetic abilities were apparently responding to some aspect of the object that the others couldn't detect.
"Something's wrong," Carla said urgently, her wings fluttering with agitation. "That thing... there's something very wrong about it."
Family Bonding
Despite the mysterious circumstances, Lucy found herself genuinely moved by Michelle's presence. The loneliness that had followed her father's death was somewhat alleviated by the discovery that she had family she had never known about.
"Would you like to stay with me for a while?" Lucy offered, her natural generosity overcoming her confusion about the situation. "I have room in my apartment, and... well, it might be nice to have family around."
Michelle's grateful tears and immediate acceptance of the offer created a touching moment that reminded everyone present of the importance of family connections, especially during difficult times.
Teilanne watched the interaction with the protective instincts that characterized her approach to family relationships. "Lucy has good instincts about people," she observed to Gildarts. "But that object her father left concerns me."
"Ancient magical artifacts usually mean trouble for our guild," Gildarts agreed with the voice of experience. "But if it's connected to Lucy's family history, we'll support her in figuring out what it means."
The First Job Together
Several days later, as Michelle had settled into Lucy's apartment and begun working part-time at the guild to earn her keep, an opportunity arose for her to experience guild life more directly.
Natsu approached Lucy with a job request that seemed straightforward enough for a newcomer to observe safely.
"Bandit hunting," he explained, holding up the job posting. "Simple, direct, good money. Perfect for showing Michelle what we do."
Michelle's eyes lit up with excitement at the prospect of witnessing actual guild magic in action. "Could I come along? I promise I won't get in the way—I just want to see what being a mage is really like."
Lucy hesitated, her protective instincts warring with her understanding of Michelle's curiosity. "It could be dangerous..."
"I'll be careful," Michelle promised earnestly. "And I'll stay back where it's safe. Please?"
The combined encouragement of the other guild members, along with Michelle's obvious enthusiasm, eventually persuaded Lucy to agree to the arrangement.
Erza's Battle Strategy
The mission planning revealed Erza's characteristic tactical approach, complete with elaborate diagrams and contingency plans that seemed somewhat excessive for dealing with ordinary bandits.
"We'll use a wagon as bait," Erza explained, her presentation including detailed sketches of positioning and attack vectors. "Lucy will act as a distressed traveler to draw them out, while the rest of us maintain concealed positions for the ambush."
Natsu's immediate objection was predictable. "I'm not riding in any wagon. Motion sickness, remember?"
Before Erza could respond to this challenge to her tactical planning with her usual violent persuasion methods, Michelle stepped forward with an offer that surprised everyone.
"I could take Natsu's position," she suggested. "I don't have magic to fight with, but I can drive a wagon and act as bait if needed."
The suggestion created a tactical problem that required careful consideration. Having a non-mage civilian in the bait position increased risk factors, but it also might make the deception more convincing to potential bandits.
"That's actually not a bad idea," Gray admitted reluctantly. "Real civilians would be more convincing than us trying to act helpless."
Mission Success and Observations
The bandit hunting mission proceeded with the efficiency that characterized most of Team Natsu's straightforward jobs. Lucy's attempt at using seductive distraction to draw out the bandits proved less effective than anticipated, but the subsequent magical assault by the team eliminated the threat quickly and decisively.
Michelle watched from a safe distance with obvious fascination, her eyes wide as she witnessed the coordinated magical abilities that made Fairy Tail mages legendary throughout Fiore.
"You're all so strong," she breathed, her admiration genuine as she watched Natsu's fire magic, Gray's ice techniques, and Erza's requip abilities working in perfect coordination.
The successful mission completion provided Michelle with her first real understanding of what guild life entailed, while also demonstrating to the team that she could handle herself adequately in potentially dangerous situations.
Growing Mysteries
Back at the guild, the mysterious gear that Lucy had inherited from her father continued to generate interest and concern among various members. Macao found himself studying it during quiet moments, while Carla's continued distress about its presence created an atmosphere of underlying tension.
"There's something about that thing," Wakaba observed during a conversation with Macao. "It doesn't feel like a memento. It feels like a responsibility."
Laki had been researching the Lobster family history, trying to understand the connections between Lucy's family and Michelle's background. Her findings raised more questions than they answered.
"The family connections are real," she reported, "but there are gaps in the historical records. Several generations where the documentation becomes unclear or contradictory."
Meanwhile, across Fiore, Lahar continued his investigation into the church bombings, unaware that his activities were being monitored by the same mysterious figure responsible for the destruction.
A Father's Final Puzzle
As Michelle settled into guild life and Lucy grew more comfortable with having family around, the question of the mysterious gear's purpose became more pressing. The magical energy it radiated seemed to be increasing gradually, as though exposure to the guild's ambient magical atmosphere was somehow activating dormant properties.
"I think we should file a guild request to investigate this thing properly," Michelle suggested during one of their evening conversations in Lucy's apartment. "If Uncle Jude wanted you to have it, there must be a reason. Maybe solving the mystery was part of what he intended."
Lucy considered the suggestion, her natural curiosity warring with her instinct to avoid anything that might bring additional complications to their already complex situation with the Magic Council.
"It's worth investigating," she agreed finally. "But we'll need to be careful. If this thing is as magically significant as it seems, researching it might attract unwanted attention."
The decision to pursue the mystery represented more than just curiosity about her father's final gift—it was Lucy's choice to actively engage with her family legacy rather than simply accepting what others had decided for her.
As she looked at the ancient gear with its mysterious magical properties, Lucy couldn't shake the feeling that her father had left her more than just a memento. He had left her a puzzle that would require all of her intelligence, determination, and guild family support to solve.
Escalating Concerns
Unknown to the guild members, their decision to investigate the mysterious gear would set in motion events that would test their bonds, challenge their understanding of magical history, and ultimately determine whether Fairy Tail could protect both their newest family member and the ancient secrets that seemed determined to surface after generations of concealment.
The church bombings, Michelle's arrival, and the mysterious gear were all connected in ways that none of them yet understood—but they would learn, as they always did, that Fairy Tail's greatest strength lay not in their individual magical abilities, but in their willingness to face any challenge together as family.
The Laxus Showdown and Ancient Warnings
Michelle's Arrival
The days following Lucy's emotional reconciliation with her father's memory brought a new normalcy to the guild. Members had begun taking jobs again, slowly working to pay down the accumulated debts while readjusting to a world that had moved on without them for seven years.
It was during one of these quiet afternoons that a young woman appeared at Lucy's apartment door, bearing a striking resemblance to the celestial mage herself. Michelle Lobster introduced herself as Lucy's distant relative, carrying with her a mysterious metal rod inscribed with ancient runes that their family had apparently been safeguarding for generations.
"I didn't even know I had extended family," Lucy admitted as she invited Michelle inside, spreading ancient Rune books across her table to help decipher the inscriptions.
"Our family tree is quite extensive," Michelle explained, her enthusiasm for family history evident. "When I heard you had returned after seven years, I knew I had to find you. This artifact has been passed down through our bloodline, but none of us have been able to understand what it means."
The metal rod lay between them, its surface covered in intricate symbols that seemed to shift and change depending on the angle of light hitting them. Lucy traced the runes with her finger, a strange sense of familiarity tugging at her memory.
A Job Opportunity Declined
Their research was interrupted by Erza and Gray's arrival at the guild hall. The pair had taken on a job to capture a group of bandits who had been stealing gold shipments throughout the region.
"Lucy," Erza called out upon spotting the celestial mage, "we're heading out on a job. Are you interested in joining us?"
Lucy looked up from the ancient texts, then back at Michelle and the mysterious artifact. "I'll pass this time. We're in the middle of something important, and honestly, I'm not really in the mood for a job right now."
Gray shrugged, accepting her decision without argument. "Fair enough. Where's Natsu? He's usually the first one jumping at any chance for action."
"He went off somewhere this morning," Mirajane supplied from behind the bar. "Didn't say where he was going."
Erza nodded decisively. "Then it will be just the two of us, Gray. We should be able to handle some common bandits without issue."
What no one noticed was Juvia's immediate reaction to this announcement. Her water magic began swirling unconsciously around her as jealousy and anxiety warred across her expressive features.
"Gray-sama... alone with Erza-san?" she whispered to herself, her imagination already conjuring elaborate scenarios. "Juvia must... Juvia needs to..."
By the time anyone thought to check on her, Juvia had already slipped out of the guild hall, her mind made up to follow Gray and Erza on their mission—purely for reconnaissance purposes, of course.
Lightning in the Forest
Deep in the forest on the outskirts of Magnolia, Laxus Dreyar was enjoying one of his rare moments of solitude. The house he'd rented after returning to the area was modest by his standards, but it provided the space and privacy he needed to continue training and reflecting on the changes in his life.
His peaceful afternoon was interrupted by a massive Gorian—a creature known for its territorial aggression and surprising strength—that crashed through the underbrush with clear hostile intent.
"You're one of those Fairy Tail mages," the Gorian growled, its massive fists clenching with anticipation. "I've got a bone to pick with your kind. Time to flatten you like a pancake!"
Laxus didn't even bother to respond verbally. His lightning magic erupted around him in a brilliant display of power, and a single attack sent the Gorian flying backwards into a tree with enough force to leave a crater in the bark.
"Should've picked your targets more carefully," Laxus muttered, his lightning still crackling around his body as he prepared to finish the encounter quickly.
The Challenge Issued
The display of magical power didn't go unnoticed. Several kilometers away, Natsu's head snapped up as his dragon slayer senses detected the familiar electrical signature.
"That's Laxus!" he exclaimed, already breaking into a run toward the source of the magic.
Gajeel, who had been nearby arguing with Panther Lily about something inconsequential, immediately perked up at the news. "Laxus is here? In Magnolia?"
"If it's Laxus, I'm having a showdown with him!" Natsu declared, his competitive nature overriding any concerns about the wisdom of challenging the lightning dragon slayer.
"You can't beat Laxus alone, flame brain," Gajeel pointed out, though he was already running alongside Natsu. "You'll need backup."
"I didn't need your help last time!" Natsu shot back. "And I'm way stronger now than I was before Tenrou Island. I'll beat him by myself!"
The Thunder God Tribe—Freed, Evergreen, and Bickslow—had also detected their leader's magic and were converging on the location from different directions. By the time they all arrived at the clearing where Laxus stood over the unconscious Gorian, it had become an impromptu gathering of Fairy Tail's strongest combat specialists.
Confrontation and Understanding
"Laxus!" Natsu called out as soon as the lightning mage came into view. "Do you live around here or something?"
Laxus turned to face the assembled group, his expression carefully neutral despite the complicated emotions he felt at seeing his former guild mates. "I moved into a place nearby. The forest is convenient for training."
"Then come back to the guild," Gajeel said bluntly. "You've been gone long enough. Everyone knows you helped us on Tenrou Island."
"Mind your own business," Laxus replied coolly, though his tone lacked the arrogance that had once characterized such dismissals. "I'm not ready to come back yet."
"Then fight me!" Natsu declared, his fists igniting with dragon fire. "Let's settle once and for all who's the strongest!"
The Thunder God Tribe immediately moved to intercept, positioning themselves between their leader and the two dragon slayers.
"Laxus doesn't need to waste his time with you two," Freed announced, his sword already partially drawn. "If you want a fight, we're your opponents."
"Stand down," Laxus ordered his team, his voice carrying the authority of someone accustomed to being obeyed. "I'll fight them myself. Starting with Natsu."
The clearing crackled with magical energy as both dragon slayers prepared to engage, their respective magics creating an atmospheric disturbance that could probably be felt back in Magnolia.
Wendy's Intervention
"STOP!"
The authoritative voice cut through the building tension like a knife. Wendy Marvell stepped into the clearing, Carla floating beside her with an expression of long-suffering patience.
"You can't just start fighting without planning!" Wendy announced, her hands on her hips in a gesture that reminded everyone she had spent considerable time with Erza. "A proper showdown requires preparation, announcements, and proper safety measures!"
Natsu blinked, his flames extinguishing as he processed this unexpected interruption. "Wendy? What are you doing here?"
"Preventing you from doing something stupid," Carla replied dryly. "As usual."
Wendy stepped forward, her healing magic making her acutely aware of the potential for serious injury if these three dragon slayers went all-out in an uncontrolled environment. "If you're going to have a showdown, do it properly. Tomorrow. With witnesses and medical support on standby."
Natsu considered this for a moment, then nodded with surprising acceptance. "Fine. Tomorrow at the Sola Tree in South Gate Park. Be there, Laxus!"
"I'll fight him after you're done getting your ass kicked," Gajeel added confidently.
Laxus watched them with an expression that might have been amusement. "Fine. Tomorrow."
Festival Preparations
Word of the impending showdown spread through the guild faster than Natsu's fire magic through dry kindling. By the time Wendy returned to report what had happened, Macao, Wakaba, Mirajane, Elfman, Lisanna, Romeo, and Kinana were already deep in planning mode.
"We should make it a festival!" Elfman suddenly declared, his enthusiasm for manly competitions overriding any concerns about the wisdom of encouraging the fight. "A celebration of strength and determination!"
"That's actually not a bad idea," Macao admitted. "It's been too long since we had something to celebrate as a guild. And maybe having it be a public event will keep things from getting too out of hand."
Mirajane nodded agreement, already mentally organizing the logistics. "We'll need food stalls, seating arrangements, and probably medical support if Wendy's concerns are justified."
"I'll contact Jason from Sorcerer Magazine," Romeo volunteered. "He'll definitely want to cover this for his publication."
By the next morning, what had started as a simple challenge between dragon slayers had evolved into a full guild festival. Stalls had been erected around South Gate Park, decorations adorned the famous Sola Tree, and guild members milled about in excited anticipation of the coming battle.
Jason arrived with his characteristic enthusiasm, his camera lacrima ready to document every moment. "COOOOL! A showdown between dragon slayers at the legendary Sola Tree! This will be the story of the year!"
The only hiccup in the preparations came when Mirajane announced she had a sore throat and couldn't perform her usual musical entertainment. Gajeel, in a moment of either bravery or temporary insanity, volunteered to perform in her place.
The resulting musical performance was... polarizing. The crowd's displeasure was evident in their expressions, though Levy seemed to find something endearing about Gajeel's gravelly rendition of what might have been a love song.
Ancient Mysteries
While the festival preparations continued, Lucy met up with Levy at the edge of the gathering, the mysterious metal rod still occupying her thoughts despite the excitement around them.
"Levy, I need your help," Lucy said, pulling her friend aside. "There's this ancient writing on something Michelle brought me, and I can't quite decipher all of it."
Levy's eyes lit up with the intellectual curiosity that made her the guild's research specialist. "Ancient writing? What kind? Runic? Proto-magical? Ceremonial script?"
"I'm not entirely sure," Lucy admitted. "That's why I need your expertise."
The two friends made plans to examine the artifact more closely after the festival, both aware that whatever the rod represented, it was significant enough to have been preserved through generations of Lucy's family.
The Mountain Mission
Far from the festival preparations, Gray and Erza had tracked the gold-stealing bandits to their hideout in the mountains. The location was well-chosen—remote enough to avoid casual discovery, but accessible enough for quick escapes with stolen goods.
What they didn't know was that Juvia had followed them, her water magic allowing her to remain hidden while she observed their every move. Her internal monologue had reached new heights of dramatic intensity as she watched Gray and Erza prepare to camp for the night.
"Gray-sama and Erza-san... alone in the mountains... sharing a campsite..." Juvia's imagination was creating increasingly elaborate scenarios, each more dramatic than the last.
Her anxiety peaked when Erza casually asked, "Gray, why aren't you stripping? You usually have your clothes off by now."
The question was entirely innocent—Erza had simply noticed Gray's unusual restraint with his stripping habit—but to Juvia, it represented something far more significant.
"JUVIA CANNOT ALLOW THIS!" she thought, her water magic swirling with agitation.
Gray, for his part, looked uncomfortable at the question. "I'm just... not in the mood, okay? Can we focus on the mission?"
Their discussion was cut short by the return of the bandits, accompanied by the Vanish Brothers—a pair of mercenary mages known for their ability to become invisible and their surprising combat effectiveness.
"You two handle the bandits," Gray said to Erza. "I'll take care of the Vanish Brothers. Natsu beat them seven years ago, so I should be able to handle them easily now."
Ice Bringer's Debut
The battle that followed tested Gray's assessment of his own abilities. The Vanish Brothers had apparently spent seven years improving their techniques, and their coordination was significantly better than it had been during their previous encounter with Fairy Tail.
Gray found himself pushed to his limits, dodging attacks from opponents he couldn't see and trying to predict their movements through environmental cues. His ice magic created barriers and attacks, but the brothers' invisibility made direct hits difficult.
It was only when Gray unveiled his new technique—Ice-Make: Ice Bringer—that the tide turned. The massive ice construct appeared above the battlefield, its size and power reflecting the training Gray had undergone during the seven years that had passed for the rest of the world.
The Vanish Brothers were defeated decisively, their invisibility useless against an attack that covered such a large area. Gray and Erza recovered the stolen gold and prepared to return to Magnolia, unaware of their hidden observer's conflicted emotions about the entire situation.
The Showdown
Back at South Gate Park, the festival had reached its peak energy. The crowd gathered around a cleared space beneath the Sola Tree, anticipation building as Natsu and Laxus faced each other from opposite ends of the makeshift arena.
The Thunder God Tribe stood to one side, their loyalty to Laxus evident in their positioning. Throughout the crowd, Fairy Tail members took their positions, some eager to see the fight, others concerned about potential collateral damage.
Gine stood beside her brothers in the crowd, her ki senses allowing her to assess both combatants' power levels with precision. "This won't be much of a fight," she observed quietly.
"Natsu's gotten stronger," Kizuna replied, "but Laxus has been training too. And he has more experience controlling his full power."
The battle began with both dragon slayers releasing their magic to full potential. Lightning and fire collided in spectacular displays of power, creating a light show that had Jason's camera lacrima working overtime.
But despite the impressive visual effects, the actual combat was brief. Natsu charged forward with his signature aggressive style, flames swirling around his fists as he prepared to land a decisive blow.
Laxus didn't move until the last possible moment. Then, with the precision of someone who had spent years mastering his abilities, he countered with a single lightning-enhanced strike that sent Natsu flying backward to crash unconscious at the base of the Sola Tree.
The crowd fell silent in shock. Mirajane, Elfman, and Lisanna stared at the brief battle's conclusion with open disbelief, while Macao and Wakaba laughed at the sidelines, having apparently bet on exactly this outcome.
"Next," Laxus said calmly, turning to where Gajeel had been standing moments before.
The spot was empty. The Iron Dragon Slayer had apparently decided that discretion was the better part of valor and had made himself scarce before Laxus could demonstrate the same decisive victory over him.
"Where's Gajeel?" Panther Lily demanded, looking around with an expression of profound disappointment. "I've lost all respect for him as a warrior."
A search party was quickly organized, though everyone suspected Gajeel had probably found somewhere very far away to hide until the situation calmed down.
Freed's Plea
The arrival of Makarov, Wendy, and Carla brought a more serious tone to the aftermath of the battle. The guild master surveyed the scene—his unconscious grandson being tended to by Wendy, the crater in the ground where Laxus's lightning had struck, and the gathered crowd still processing what they had witnessed.
Freed approached Makarov with the Thunder God Tribe flanking him, their expressions showing the internal conflict they felt between loyalty to their leader and respect for their guild master.
"Master Makarov," Freed began, his usual formal demeanor even more pronounced, "I would like to formally request that you rescind Laxus's exile. He has proven his commitment to the guild through his actions on Tenrou Island. Surely that demonstrates his redemption?"
The guild hall fell silent as everyone waited for Makarov's response. The old guild master looked at his grandson, who stood apart from the group with his arms crossed, his expression carefully neutral.
For several long moments, neither spoke. The weight of years of complicated history—expectations, disappointments, pride, and love—hung between them like a physical presence.
Finally, Laxus turned and walked away without a word, leaving his grandfather and the assembled guild members to interpret his silence however they wished.
Gine moved to follow him, but Teilanne's hand on her shoulder stopped her. "Give him time," the Destroyer said quietly. "Some reconciliations can't be rushed."
The Clock Hand Revelation
Later that evening, Lucy's apartment had become an impromptu research center. Michelle, Lucy, and Levy surrounded the table where ancient texts lay open beside the mysterious metal rod, their combined knowledge slowly unraveling the artifact's secrets.
"The writing is ancient Potamelian," Levy announced after cross-referencing several linguistic texts. "A language that hasn't been commonly used in over four hundred years."
"What does it say?" Michelle asked eagerly.
Levy traced the runes carefully, her translation skill allowing her to parse the archaic phrasing. "Time is etched and then chaos descends."
The phrase triggered something in Lucy's memory—a fragment of a story or legend she had read somewhere in the vast library of books she had collected over the years. She rushed to her bookshelf, scanning titles until she found what she was looking for.
"Here!" she exclaimed, pulling out an old tome about magical artifacts and ancient legends. "I knew I'd seen that phrase before."
The three women read together about a clock that had been passed down through centuries, its parts scattered and hidden to prevent its assembly. The legend spoke of a pendulum clock of immense magical power, created in an age when magic was wilder and less understood.
"This rod," Levy said slowly, realization dawning, "isn't just an artifact. It's a hand from that clock. The pendulum clock from the legend."
The implications hung in the air between them, each woman understanding that they had stumbled onto something far more significant than a simple family heirloom.
Strange Visitors
Meanwhile, back at the guild hall, the post-festival cleanup was underway. Guild members were dismantling stalls and collecting decorations, their conversations filled with analyses of Laxus's dominant performance and speculation about where Gajeel might be hiding.
Natsu had regained consciousness and was sitting at a table with his head down, his pride clearly more injured than his body. Around him, guild members offered varying degrees of sympathy and teasing.
The atmosphere shifted suddenly when three figures appeared at the guild's entrance. They were dressed in strange clothing that seemed out of place for the region, and their magical signatures registered as unusual to those sensitive enough to detect such things.
The guild hall's conversations died down as everyone turned to assess the newcomers. Something about the trio suggested they weren't there for a casual visit or a job request.
"Welcome to Fairy Tail," Mirajane said professionally, though her posture suggested she was ready to activate her Satan Soul transformation at a moment's notice. "How can we help you?"
The central figure of the trio stepped forward, their expression unreadable. "We're looking for Lucy Heartfilia. We understand she possesses something that belongs to us."
The words sent a chill through the assembled guild members. Claims of ownership over items possessed by their family rarely led to pleasant conversations.
"And what might that be?" Erza asked, her hand moving to her sword in a gesture that was becoming automatic whenever strangers made demands of guild members.
"A piece of an ancient clock," the stranger replied. "A clock that should never have been reassembled. Your friend has opened a door that should have remained closed."
The implications of this statement would have far-reaching consequences for Fairy Tail, setting in motion events that would test their bonds and challenge their understanding of time, fate, and the price of power.
But for now, they stood united, a family ready to protect their own against whatever threats might emerge from ancient legends made manifest.
The Legion Platoon Assault
Familiar Faces, Wrong World
The three Exceeds—Panther Lily, Happy, and Carla—stood frozen at the guild's entrance, their eyes wide with shock at the impossible sight before them. Three figures stood in the fading afternoon light, their appearances triggering memories of another world, another time.
"Sugarboy? Coco? Hughes?" Panther Lily's voice carried disbelief as he stared at the trio.
The woman who resembled Coco tilted her head with polite confusion. "I'm sorry, but we've never met before. You must have us confused with someone else."
"They've forgotten about us!" Happy exclaimed, his wings drooping with disappointment. "How could they forget after everything we went through in Edolas?"
Before the conversation could continue, the sound of tired footsteps announced the return of the search party that had been looking for Gajeel. Natsu led the group, his expression showing the exhaustion of someone who had spent hours tracking a guild mate who clearly didn't want to be found.
"That coward better have a good explanation when we—" Natsu's complaint died in his throat as he spotted the mysterious trio at the guild's entrance. "Wait, you guys? How did you get to Earth Land?"
Lucy and Wendy appeared behind him, both stopping short as they recognized the resemblance to their Edolas acquaintances.
"They look like the same people," Lucy observed carefully, "but something's different. That's definitely not Hughes—she's a woman."
The female figure who bore resemblance to the male Hughes from Edolas stepped forward, her voice carrying cold authority that sent a chill through the assembled guild members. "We are here for Lucy Heartfilia. Hand her over, and no one needs to get hurt."
The Guild's Response
The demand was met with immediate resistance. Fairy Tail members who had been inside the guild hall began filtering out, forming a protective barrier between the mysterious trio and their family.
"Why do you want Lucy?" Erza demanded, her hand already on the hilt of her sword. "And what makes you think we'd hand over one of our own, even if you had a good reason?"
Kinana stepped forward from her position behind the bar, her expression troubled. "Wait... could they be responsible for the church attacks that have been happening across Fiore? There were reports of strange magic users targeting religious sites."
The accusation caused the trio's expressions to darken. The man resembling Sugarboy produced a long wooden stick from his clothing, holding it like a microphone.
"We tried to be reasonable," he said with exaggerated disappointment. "But if you won't cooperate willingly..."
The Green Slime Attack
What happened next caught everyone off guard. The Sugarboy lookalike began to sing—a haunting melody that seemed to resonate with some primal frequency. As his voice echoed across the guild hall, thick green mucus-like substance began pouring from his body in impossible quantities.
"What the hell is that?!" Gray shouted, creating ice barriers to try to contain the advancing slime.
But the substance was unlike anything they had encountered before. It flowed around barriers, consumed magical attacks, and most disturbingly, began to envelop guild members who couldn't move away fast enough.
"Don't let it touch you!" Freed called out, but his warning came too late for several members. Those consumed by the green slime found themselves completely immobilized, their bodies encased in the strange substance.
Macao tried to counter-attack with his Purple Flare magic, but the Coco lookalike moved with impossible speed, dodging his flames, Wakaba's smoke attacks, and Romeo's fire magic with graceful efficiency.
"They're too fast!" Romeo gasped, trying to track the woman's movements and failing.
The Clive Family Intervenes
Gine was the first of the Clive siblings to fully assess the tactical situation. Her emotional intelligence, honed through years of protecting her family and guild, allowed her to read the battlefield in ways that pure combat analysis couldn't match.
"They're targeting Lucy specifically, but they'll hurt everyone else to get to her," she announced, her power beginning to flare. "Natsu, Gray—create chaos on the left flank. Erza, coordinate defensive positions. We need to buy time."
Her transformation into Full Powered Super Saiyan erupted in a controlled burst, the golden aura carefully contained to avoid collateral damage to the guild hall. Unlike her brothers' more direct approaches, Gine's fighting style had always prioritized protection over destruction.
"Laxus would have a plan for this," she muttered to herself, then louder: "Everyone consumed by the slime—stop struggling! You're feeding it energy. Go limp and let others pull you free!"
The advice proved sound. Guild members who stopped resisting found the slime's grip weakening slightly, allowing rescuers to extract them more easily.
Kizuna moved to intercept the advancing slime threatening Mirajane, his Super Saiyan transformation erupting around him as he created a ki barrier that temporarily halted the substance's advance.
"Mira, transform!" he commanded, recognizing that her Satan Soul would provide both offensive power and the demonic resilience needed to fight these unusual opponents.
Mirajane's body shifted, her demonic form manifesting with practiced ease. Together, they became a formidable defensive line—Kizuna's raw power complemented by Mirajane's tactical magic and combat experience.
"These aren't ordinary opponents," Mirajane observed, her enhanced senses picking up the artificial quality to their magical signatures. "Their power feels manufactured somehow."
"Then we'll just have to hit them hard enough that it doesn't matter," Kizuna replied, his fists crackling with concentrated ki.
Uruk's Analytical Encounter
Uruk was already analyzing the slime's composition, his scientific mind working through possibilities even as he helped guild members avoid the advancing substance. "The molecular structure suggests a hybrid of organic and magical components. If I can determine the binding agent—"
His analysis was interrupted when Earth Land Coco's pursuit of Lucy and Michelle brought her into direct conflict with the most analytical of the Clive siblings. She moved with impossible speed, her enhanced agility making her a blur of motion.
But Uruk's eyes tracked her movements with calculated precision, his Saiyan heritage giving him reaction speeds that matched her velocity. When she launched herself at him, expecting to dart past as she had with other obstacles, she found her path blocked by someone who had predicted exactly where she would be.
"Interesting," Uruk said, catching her wrist mid-strike with minimal effort. "Your speed enhancement isn't purely magical. There's a technological component—some form of bio-magical engineering integrated with your nervous system."
Earth Land Coco's eyes widened in shock that someone had identified the source of her abilities so quickly. She twisted free with acrobatic grace, creating distance between them.
"How could you possibly—"
"Your movement patterns are too consistent," Uruk explained, his tone carrying the detached curiosity of a scientist examining a fascinating specimen. "Organic speed enhancement would show more variation based on factors like fatigue, adrenaline, and terrain. Your velocity maintains perfect consistency, which indicates artificial augmentation."
He tilted his head, studying her with clinical interest that made her profoundly uncomfortable. "The question is whether you were born with this enhancement or had it installed later. The integration seems seamless, which suggests either very advanced technology or very early implementation."
"Stop analyzing me like I'm some experiment!" Coco snapped, but she found herself hesitating to attack again. Something about Uruk's complete lack of aggression despite his obvious power made him more unnerving than the guild members who were actively fighting.
"You're trying to reach Lucy and Michelle," Uruk observed. "But you've passed up three optimal routes in favor of paths that require more complex navigation. Either your tactical programming is flawed, or you're subconsciously avoiding the most direct approach because it would require harming more guild members."
The observation struck closer to truth than Earth Land Coco wanted to admit. "That's... that's not..."
"Fascinating," Uruk continued, genuinely intrigued. "You have conflicting directives. Your mission parameters say to capture Lucy Heartfilia, but your personal ethics resist causing unnecessary casualties. The cognitive dissonance must be quite uncomfortable."
Byro's Strategic Complication
Atop his massive octopus mount, Earth Land Byro surveyed the battle with growing concern. The mission briefing had described Fairy Tail as a guild recently returned from seven-year absence, likely weakened and disorganized.
What he was witnessing bore no resemblance to that description.
His eyes fixed on Teilanne, who stood near the guild hall's entrance coordinating defensive positions with the authority of someone who had commanded armies. Her power signature was unmistakable—he had reviewed intelligence reports about the Destroyer before accepting this mission, but those reports had failed to convey the true presence of someone operating on that level.
"Commander," Earth Land Sugarboy said nervously, noticing his leader's hesitation. "Should we proceed with the full assault protocol?"
Byro's jaw tightened as he calculated odds and outcomes. Full assault against a guild that included the Destroyer and her family would result in unacceptable casualties, even if they ultimately succeeded. The Legion had been designed to handle powerful mages, but Saiyan warriors operated under different physical laws than conventional magic users.
"Modify the approach," Byro commanded. "Sugarboy, Hughes—focus on extraction rather than engagement. We get the clock hand and withdraw. Do not engage the Destroyer or her children directly unless absolutely necessary."
"But Commander," Hughes protested, "our mission parameters—"
"Are being updated in real-time based on battlefield conditions," Byro interrupted sharply. "The intelligence we received was critically incomplete. Engaging a legendary Destroyer because our briefing was inadequate is not tactical planning—it's suicide."
He raised his voice to address the entire Legion. "All units, priority alpha: locate and retrieve the clock hand. Avoid confrontation with Saiyan-signature targets. This is now an extraction mission, not a suppression operation."
The Battle Intensifies
Earth Land Sugarboy and Hughes found their modified mission parameters immediately tested as they faced the combined might of Mirajane and Kizuna. The demonic mage and the Super Saiyan worked in perfect synchronization, their relationship providing an almost telepathic understanding of each other's tactics.
Mirajane's Soul Extinction attack forced Sugarboy to redirect his slime defense, while Kizuna's ki blasts exploited the openings her magic created. They fought like partners who had trained together for years, each attack flowing naturally into the next.
"They're too coordinated!" Earth Land Sugarboy gasped, his wooden stick creating more slime barriers that Kizuna simply punched through with raw power.
"Then separate them," Hughes commanded, her puppetry magic reaching out toward Mirajane.
But before her control could take hold, Freed's barrier runes activated, disrupting the magical threads attempting to invade Mirajane's nervous system.
"Fairy Tail mages are not so easily controlled," Freed announced, his sword drawn as he joined the defensive formation. "Especially when protected by our strongest defensive enchanter."
Evergreen and Bickslow flanked him, the Thunder God Tribe having returned upon sensing the battle at their guild. Their coordinated magic created a defensive perimeter that forced the Legion members to fight on multiple fronts simultaneously.
"Where's Laxus?" Evergreen asked between attacks, her stone eye magic targeting Earth Land Hughes.
"Not here," Bickslow's dolls chorused. "But if Gine's fighting, boss won't be far behind!"
Gine's Tactical Brilliance
As if summoned by the mention of his name, lightning crackled across the sky. Laxus Dreyar appeared on a nearby rooftop, his presence immediately changing the battlefield dynamics. His eyes found Gine instantly, and something unspoken passed between them.
Gine's smile was fierce and loving in equal measure. "About time you showed up. I was starting to think I'd have to handle this alone."
"And miss watching you in action?" Laxus replied, lightning dancing around his fingertips. "Not a chance."
Their combined assault was devastating. Gine's ki-enhanced speed and Laxus's lightning magic created a storm of attacks that forced Earth Land Sugarboy and Hughes into purely defensive positions. But more than their individual power, it was their coordination that proved overwhelming.
Gine would create openings with precisely placed ki blasts, and Laxus would exploit them with lightning strikes that bypassed conventional magical defenses. When Hughes tried to use her puppetry magic on Laxus, Gine was already there, her ki disrupting the magical threads before they could take hold.
"You fight well together," Earth Land Hughes observed, genuine admiration mixing with frustration. "But it won't be enough to stop us."
"Probably not," Gine agreed, her tactical mind already working through the next phase. "But it doesn't have to be. We just need to hold you here long enough for Lucy to get somewhere safe. And I'm very, very good at holding ground when people I care about need time."
Her eyes flickered toward Laxus, then back to their opponents. "We both are."
Cumber's Silent Protection
While his siblings engaged in more direct combat, Cumber had positioned himself near Wendy, his quiet presence providing a shield against the chaos around them. When Earth Land Coco's pursuit brought her near the young Sky Dragon Slayer, she found her path blocked by someone whose power felt fundamentally different from the other Saiyan warriors.
"You'll have to go through me first," Cumber said simply, his power beginning to manifest around him in a controlled aura that suggested depths of strength not yet revealed.
Earth Land Coco assessed the obstacle before her. Unlike his more aggressive siblings, Cumber's stance suggested perfect defensive positioning—someone who had no interest in attacking but would be immovable in protection.
She made the tactical decision to go around rather than through, her enhanced speed allowing her to leap over Cumber with acrobatic grace. But she hadn't accounted for Wendy's Sky Dragon Slayer magic combining with Cumber's protective instincts.
A targeted wind blast from Wendy, perfectly timed with Cumber's subtle shift in position, sent Earth Land Coco tumbling through the air in a direction she hadn't intended. By the time she recovered, Lucy and Michelle had gained precious seconds of distance.
"Thank you," Wendy said quietly to Cumber, who simply nodded in response.
Their growing connection was evident in the way they moved together without needing words—Wendy's healing and support magic complementing Cumber's protective capabilities in ways that made them far more effective as a unit than either would have been alone.
Teilanne's Command
Throughout the chaos, Teilanne maintained her position as battlefield commander, her experience and power making her the natural leader in Makarov's absence.
"Gildarts, left flank—that slime is spreading toward the residential area. Contain it before civilians get involved," she commanded, her voice carrying absolute authority.
"Erza, coordinate with the Thunder God Tribe. Create a killbox between Freed's barriers and your requip attacks. Force them into predictable movement patterns."
"Everyone else, rotating defensive positions. Nobody fights alone, nobody takes unnecessary risks. We're buying time, not trying to win decisively."
Her tactical brilliance was evident in how she used the guild's diverse abilities. Each member was positioned to maximize their strengths while covering their weaknesses, creating a defensive network that proved far more effective than the sum of its parts.
Earth Land Byro watched from his octopus mount, his respect for the Destroyer growing with each passing moment. She wasn't just powerful—she was a military strategist of the highest caliber, turning a chaotic battle into a controlled defensive operation.
"Commander," one of his subordinates reported via communication lacrima, "we've located the clock hand. It fell into the river during the cliff incident. Do we pursue retrieval?"
Byro calculated rapidly. Retrieving the clock hand would require diverting resources from the already complicated engagement with Fairy Tail. But leaving without it would mean the entire mission was a failure.
"Prepare extraction team," he ordered finally. "We get the clock hand and withdraw. This engagement has already exceeded acceptable risk parameters."
The Cliff Rescue
Lucy and Michelle's fall had been arrested not by the river below, but by two figures who shot through the air with speed that defied conventional flight.
Gine caught Lucy mid-fall, her Full Powered Super Saiyan transformation blazing like a star as she altered their trajectory away from the rocks below. Her emotional awareness immediately picked up on Lucy's panic and guilt.
"Michelle?" Lucy gasped, searching for her relative.
"Kizuna has her," Gine assured her, setting her down gently on solid ground. "Everyone's safe. But that clock hand—"
"Fell into the river," Lucy finished miserably. "This is all my fault. If I had just surrendered in the first place—"
"Then they'd have the clock hand and you," Gine interrupted firmly. "And we still wouldn't know what they want with it. You did the right thing, Lucy. Fairy Tail protects its family. Always."
Across the river, Kizuna set Michelle down with similar gentleness, the young woman trembling from the near-death experience.
"Thank you," Michelle managed. "I thought... I thought we were going to die."
"Not on our watch," Kizuna replied, his eyes scanning the area for additional threats. "Mira would never forgive me if I let something happen to Lucy's family."
Above them, Earth Land Hughes stared at the Saiyan siblings with dawning realization. The intelligence reports had mentioned the Destroyer and her family, but seeing their casual display of power—catching falling people mid-air, flying without conventional magic—drove home just how outclassed the Legion was against these opponents.
"Commander Byro," she reported via her communication device, "the clock hand is in the river, but extraction will be complicated. The Saiyan siblings are on-site, and engaging them directly would likely result in mission failure."
"Understood," Byro's voice came back. "Fall back to extraction point. We're withdrawing."
The Mysterious Motivation
As the Legion began their tactical retreat, Uruk called out to Earth Land Coco, who was preparing to disappear into the shadows.
"You haven't told us why you want the clock hand," he observed. "Or what it's really for. The church attacks, the elaborate operation to capture Lucy—this level of resource commitment suggests something far more significant than simple artifact theft."
Earth Land Coco paused, genuine conflict showing in her expression for the first time. "We're trying to prevent a catastrophe," she said finally. "That clock hand, and the others like it... if they're assembled, it could mean the end of everything. We're not the villains here—we're trying to save the world."
"By attacking a guild and threatening innocent people?" Uruk countered.
"By doing what's necessary when the stakes are this high," Coco replied. "You'll understand eventually. I hope it won't be too late when you do."
She vanished into the shadows, leaving Uruk with more questions than answers.
The battle for the clock hand had reached a temporary stalemate, but the war for understanding what it represented—and what forces were willing to kill to possess it—was just beginning.
Back at the guild hall, as members assessed injuries and damage, one thing had become crystal clear: Fairy Tail's return to full strength, combined with the Destroyer's family joining their ranks, had just dramatically altered the power dynamics in Fiore.
And somewhere, forces that had planned for years were realizing their calculations needed significant revision.
Michelle's Sacrifice
The trio halted their assault, surveying the damage they had inflicted with clinical detachment. Those not consumed by the slime were either controlled by Hughes' magic or exhausted from fighting both the enemies and their own compromised guild mates.
"This is your last warning," the female Hughes announced. "Hand over Lucy Heartfilia, or we continue at full power."
Lucy stepped forward, her celestial magic beginning to manifest as she prepared to surrender herself rather than see her family suffer further. But before she could speak, Michelle pushed past her.
"I'm Lucy Heartfilia," Michelle declared, her voice carrying false confidence. "Take me and leave the guild alone!"
"Michelle, no!" Lucy grabbed her distant relative's arm. "They want me, not you!"
"I'm Lucy," Michelle insisted, looking at their attackers. "She's Michelle, trying to protect me. I'm the one you want."
The two women began arguing, each claiming to be Lucy Heartfilia while the other was supposedly the protector. The trio watched with growing confusion as the argument escalated.
The Guild's Deception
Levy stepped forward suddenly, her small frame somehow commanding attention. "Actually, I'm Lucy Heartfilia. These two are just decoys."
"What? No, I'm Lucy!" Laki announced from across the guild hall.
"Don't listen to them, I'm the real Lucy," Wendy added, her voice carrying surprising conviction for someone so clearly not Lucy Heartfilia.
Mirajane joined in with her characteristic smile. "I'm Lucy. Though I must say, it's flattering that so many people want to protect me."
"Lucy Heartfilia is a man's name!" Elfman declared with complete seriousness. "And I'm the man Lucy!"
Even Lisanna got involved, dramatically declaring herself to be Lucy while striking a pose that looked nothing like anything the celestial mage had ever done.
The Clive siblings exchanged glances before joining in the deception. "I'm Lucy," Gine announced, her Saiyan heritage making the claim particularly absurd given her obvious physical differences.
"No, I'm Lucy," Uruk added with completely deadpan delivery.
The trio of attackers looked between the dozen people now claiming to be Lucy Heartfilia, their confusion evident despite their magical abilities.
"This is ridiculous," the Sugarboy lookalike muttered. "Fine. We'll just take everyone."
The Escape
"Lucy, Michelle—run!" Makarov's voice boomed with guild master authority. "Find somewhere safe and figure out what these people want!"
The command broke through the chaos. Lucy grabbed Michelle's hand and ran, her celestial magic allowing her to sense the layout of the city even as they fled through unfamiliar streets in the growing darkness.
Behind them, the guild erupted into action. Those still mobile threw themselves at their attackers with renewed determination, creating enough chaos to cover Lucy and Michelle's escape.
The Coco lookalike moved to pursue, her enhanced speed allowing her to break through the initial defensive line. But she found her path blocked by Cumber, whose quiet presence somehow felt more threatening than more overt displays of power.
"You'll have to go through me first," he said simply, his power beginning to manifest around him.
Earth Land Coco assessed the obstacle before her, then made the tactical decision to go around rather than through. She leaped over Cumber with acrobatic grace, landing in a roll that carried her in pursuit of her targets.
Lucy and Michelle's Confusion Tactic
The two women ran until their lungs burned and their legs threatened to give out. Finally, in a narrow alley near the city's edge, they stopped to catch their breath.
"Why did you do that?" Lucy demanded between gasps. "You could have been killed!"
"Because you're family," Michelle replied simply. "And family protects each other, right? That's what Fairy Tail taught everyone."
Lucy felt tears threatening at the corners of her eyes, but she forced them back. "Still, you shouldn't have—"
"Found you."
Earth Land Coco stood at the alley's entrance, her expression showing satisfaction at having tracked them down. "Now, which one of you is the real Lucy Heartfilia?"
Lucy and Michelle exchanged glances, then simultaneously pointed at each other.
"She is!" they declared in unison.
"No, she's lying, I'm Lucy!" Michelle insisted.
"Don't listen to her, I'm the real Lucy!" Lucy countered.
Earth Land Coco's eyes narrowed as she tried to determine who was telling the truth. Before she could make a decision, golden light erupted between the two women as Virgo materialized, her maid outfit immaculate despite the chaotic circumstances.
"Princess," Virgo said with a formal bow, "how may I assist you in your punishment today?"
The spirit's appearance only added to the confusion. Earth Land Coco looked between Lucy, Michelle, and Virgo, trying to determine which one was the actual target.
"Are you Lucy too?" she asked the celestial spirit with evident frustration.
"If Princess wishes me to be Lucy, then I shall be Lucy," Virgo replied with absolute sincerity.
The moment of confusion was all they needed. Lucy, Michelle, and Virgo ran in different directions, forcing Earth Land Coco to choose which target to pursue.
The Guild Hall Battle Continues
Back at Fairy Tail, the battle had evolved into a chaotic melee. The green slime continued to advance, consuming those too slow or exhausted to avoid it. Earth Land Sugarboy and Hughes maintained their assault, their unusual magic proving difficult to counter with conventional techniques.
Jet and Droy burst into the guild hall, having just returned from a job, only to witness the destruction and see Lucy and Michelle fleeing in the distance.
"What happened here?!" Jet demanded, his speed magic allowing him to avoid the advancing slime even as he took in the scene.
"Enemies after Lucy," Erza explained tersely, using her requip magic to change into armor better suited for fighting an opponent who could control bodies. "We're buying time for her to escape."
Teilanne had moved to the front lines, her Destroyer instincts recognizing that conventional magic wasn't going to be sufficient against these opponents. Her power began to manifest more overtly, her Saiyan heritage showing through as her ki flared.
"Gildarts, get the injured clear," she commanded, her voice carrying the authority of someone accustomed to battlefield command. "Everyone else, fall back to defensive positions. We're not winning this fight by charging in blindly."
The guild members who could still move began implementing a more organized retreat, helping those consumed by the slime while maintaining defensive formations against their attackers.
The Hunt Continues
Natsu, Happy, Panther Lily, Carla, and Wendy managed to break free from the guild hall, pursuing Lucy and Michelle's trail through the city. Natsu's dragon slayer senses allowed him to track Lucy's scent even through the chaos.
"They went this way!" Natsu called out, his nose leading them through winding streets and narrow alleys.
But they soon found their path blocked. Earth Land Coco appeared before Carla, Panther Lily, and Wendy, her speed magic making her a blur of motion as she attacked the Exceeds and young Sky Dragon Slayer.
Meanwhile, Natsu and Happy ran headlong into Earth Land Sugarboy, who stood in their path with his wooden stick held ready.
"Ah, the famous Salamander," Earth Land Sugarboy said with exaggerated enthusiasm. "I've heard so much about you. Shall we engage in a battle of artistic expression?"
"Get out of my way!" Natsu's fists ignited with dragon fire as he prepared to bulldoze through the obstacle.
Before the fight could properly begin, a massive tentacle crashed down between them, forcing both combatants to leap backward. A giant octopus had appeared in the city street, its size defying logic and its presence defying explanation.
Atop the creature sat a young man whose magical signature matched those of the trio but carried even greater power. His expression was one of mild annoyance as he surveyed the scene.
"Sugarboy," the man said with the tone of a disappointed teacher, "you're losing focus on the objective. We're here for the clock hand, not to play with dragon slayers."
Earth Land Sugarboy looked chastened. "My apologies, Commander Byro. I got carried away."
"Commander Byro?" Natsu repeated, confused. "But the Byro we met in Edolas was old and—"
"This isn't Edolas, you fool," Earth Land Byro interrupted. "Now, where is Lucy Heartfilia?"
The Cliff's Edge
Lucy and Michelle had finally reached what they thought was safety—a cliff overlooking a river far below. But Earth Land Hughes had tracked them down, her puppetry magic making escape impossible.
"No more games," Hughes said coldly. "You have something we need, and we're taking it one way or another."
Her magic lashed out, invisible threads of control wrapping around Michelle's nervous system. The young woman's body moved against her will, turning toward the cliff's edge with mechanical precision.
"Michelle!" Lucy grabbed her relative, trying to physically stop her advance.
But Hughes' magic was stronger than Lucy's physical strength. Michelle's feet continued moving, dragging Lucy with her as they approached the precipice.
"Stop!" Lucy screamed, her celestial magic flaring uselessly against the puppetry technique. "She has nothing to do with this!"
"Then you should have surrendered when we first asked," Hughes replied without emotion.
Michelle's body stepped over the edge. Lucy's grip on her arm meant she fell too, both women plummeting toward the river far below. The metal rod that had started this entire crisis tumbled from Lucy's bag, falling alongside them as they descended toward what seemed like certain death.
Above, Earth Land Hughes watched their fall with clinical satisfaction, already planning how to retrieve the clock hand from their bodies.
What she didn't account for was the golden light that erupted around the falling women, or the two figures that shot through the air with speed that defied conventional flight.
Kizuna caught Lucy mid-fall, his Super Saiyan transformation allowing him to alter their trajectory away from the rocks below. Gine caught Michelle with similar precision, her Full Powered Super Saiyan form blazing like a star as she carried the young woman to safety on the opposite bank.
The metal rod, however, continued its descent, splashing into the river and sinking rapidly toward the bottom.
"The clock hand!" Lucy gasped, watching it disappear into the dark water.
"Worry about that later," Kizuna replied, setting her down gently on solid ground. "Right now, we need to figure out who these people are and what they really want."
Above them, Earth Land Hughes stared at the Saiyan siblings with dawning realization that this mission had just become significantly more complicated.
The Legion Platoon had expected to find a weakened guild still recovering from seven years of absence. What they found instead was a family that included legendary warriors whose power operated on entirely different scales than conventional magic.
The battle for the clock hand was far from over, but the rules of engagement had just dramatically changed.
To be continued in Chapter 35: Legion vs Fairy Tail!